Buffs, Rams Set for 50th Meeting

Wednesday, November 14

Boulder, Colo.

7:00 PM

Colorado

Colorado State

Tickets

Photo by: Tim Benko, Benko Photographics

November 12, 2018 | Women's Basketball

Game Notes (PDF)

Colorado leads the all-time series, 37-12

By: Seth Pringle, Assistant SID

BOULDER—The Colorado women's basketball team is set to host Colorado State on Wednesday, marking the 50th contest between the two in-state rivals.

Colorado opened the season with a 77-69 win over Northern Colorado last Tuesday at the CU Events Center. Kennedy Leonard led the team with 30 points. Quinessa Caylao-Do recorded a career-high 23 points.

The rival Rams opened their season with a 72-46 win over Eastern New Mexico.

Last season the Buffaloes traveled to Moby Arena and picked up a 70-67 win. Then freshman Annika Jank led the Buffs with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Leonard contributed 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting and handed out five assists.

Colorado holds a strong grip on the all-time series. The Buffaloes lead the Rams, 37-12, in the series that dates back to 1975. CU has won the battle on the court in each of head coach JR Payne's first two seasons. The Buffs are 7-1 in the last eight matchups. CSU's last win was a one-point thriller, 64-63, back in 2015.

"Last year we were at CSU," Jank recalled. "Their fans were rowdy, and we got to experience that side of the rivalry. I think it will be exciting to see what they [CSU] are like here on our home-court. We know what they do well, so we will be prepared."

For a majority of this year's team, the rivalry is still fresh. Only Leonard and Alexis Robinson have faced the Rams more than once in their careers. Leonard is averaging 23.3 points and 5.3 assists in her three games against CSU. Robinson has averaged 6.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in her career against the Rams.

The rivalry has a more personal connection for Leonard, whose parents both attended Colorado State.

"I think it is always just a really good rivalry," Leonard described. "Everything is heightened and hyped up. I am excited, and I know the rest of us are too.

"Both my mom and dad went there. They will be wearing Buffs gear for sure. I just always hope we can beat them, so I can rub it in their face a little bit. It is all fun and games and I am glad that I can have that little rivalry within my family."

Colorado State finished 21-12 last season, recording its fifth-straight 20-win season. The Rams finished tied for fourth in the Mountain West Conference and advanced to the second round of the WNIT. The Rams turned their roster over to start the 2018-19 season, returning just one starter from last season. Newcomer, Mollie Mounsey, was voted the Mountain West's Preseason Newcomer of the Year.

Tip is set for 7 p.m. MT. Cory Lopez and Carrol Callan will have the call from courtside on AM 630 (KHOW).

Promotions: Fans are encouraged to join the team in wearing black on Wednesday. It is also the first Wine Wednesday. Fans can get a general admission ticket and a glass of wine for $13.